U.S. patent application number 13/791176 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for communication system and portable machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Koji Takizawa, Yosuke Tomita. Invention is credited to Koji Takizawa, Yosuke Tomita.
Application Number | 20130234827 13/791176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49029778 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130234827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tomita; Yosuke ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND PORTABLE MACHINE
Abstract
A communication system includes a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, the portable
machine being capable of conducting wireless communications with
the controlled object, and a portable terminal being capable of
conducting noncontact wireless communications with the portable
machine, wherein after noncontact wireless communications start
between the portable machine and the portable terminal, the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do not resume unless
a specified instruction is given.
Inventors: |
Tomita; Yosuke; (Aichi,
JP) ; Takizawa; Koji; (Aichi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tomita; Yosuke
Takizawa; Koji |
Aichi
Aichi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Aichi
JP
|
Family ID: |
49029778 |
Appl. No.: |
13/791176 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/42 20180101;
G06F 7/00 20130101; G08C 17/02 20130101; Y02D 70/166 20180101; Y02D
70/144 20180101; H04B 5/0031 20130101; G08C 2201/50 20130101; Y02D
30/70 20200801; B60R 25/24 20130101; G08C 23/04 20130101; Y02D
70/142 20180101; G08C 2201/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.61 |
International
Class: |
G08C 17/02 20060101
G08C017/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2012 |
JP |
2012-052336 |
Claims
1. A communication system comprising: a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, the portable
machine being capable of conducting wireless communications with
the controlled object: and a portable terminal being capable of
conducting noncontact wireless communications with the portable
machine, wherein after noncontact wireless communications start
between the portable machine and the portable terminal, the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do not resume unless
a specified instruction is given.
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the
portable terminal includes: a first transmission unit transmitting
a first signal to the portable machine; and a first reception unit
receiving a second signal from the portable machine, the portable
machine includes: a second reception unit receiving the first
signal which the first transmission unit has transmitted; a control
unit controlling generation of the second signal, in relation to
the first signal which the second reception unit has received; and
a second transmission unit transmitting the second signal generated
by the control unit to the first reception unit of the portable
terminal, and the portable terminal inhibits the first transmission
unit from transmitting the first signal, when the predetermined
condition is satisfied.
3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when the
predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit of the
portable machine transmits a transmission inhibiting request signal
for the first signal, in addition to the second signal, and when
receiving the transmission inhibiting request signal, the portable
terminal inhibits the transmission of the first signal.
4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the
portable terminal includes: a first transmission unit transmitting
a first signal to the portable machine; and a first reception unit
receiving a second signal from the portable machine, the portable
machine includes: a second reception unit receiving the first
signal which the first transmission unit has transmitted; a control
unit controlling generation of the second signal, in relation to
the first signal which the second reception unit has received; and
a second transmission unit transmitting the second signal generated
by the control unit to the first reception unit of the portable
terminal, and the portable machine inhibits the second transmission
unit from transmitting the second signal, when the predetermined
condition is satisfied.
5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when
noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal activates a predetermined
application and exhibits a display for the application on a
screen.
6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the
portable terminal turns off the display on the screen, along with
the inhibition of the noncontact wireless communications.
7. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein after the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited, when receiving a
user's operation for displaying the screen, the portable terminal
displays, on the screen, a notification that the noncontact
wireless communications have been inhibited and an operation method
of giving the specified instruction.
8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the
specified instruction is a user's predetermined first operation
with respect to the portable terminal.
9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein when
receiving the predetermined first operation, the portable terminal
displays, on the screen, a notification that the noncontact
wireless communications have been inhibited, and restarts
noncontact wireless communications in response to a predetermined
second operation.
10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the
portable terminal recognizes a user's operation, as the specified
instruction, and causes the first transmission unit to resume
transmitting the first signal.
11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when
receiving the second signals prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable terminal determines that the
predetermined condition is satisfied.
12. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when
receiving the first signals prescribed times within a predetermined
period, the portable machine determines that the predetermined
condition is satisfied.
13. A portable machine having an identification code registered in
a controlled object, the portable machine being capable of
conducting wireless communications with the controlled object and
noncontact wireless communication with a portable terminal, wherein
after noncontact wireless communications start with the portable
terminal, the noncontact wireless communications are inhibited when
a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do not resume the
noncontact wireless communications unless a specified instruction
is given.
14. The portable machine according to claim 13, comprising: a
reception unit receiving a first signal which the portable terminal
has transmitted; a control unit controlling generation of a second
signal, in relation to the first signal which the reception unit
has received; and a transmission unit transmitting the second
signal generated by the control unit to the portable terminal,
wherein the portable machine inhibits the transmission unit from
transmitting the second signal, when the predetermined condition is
satisfied.
15. The portable machine according to claim 14, wherein when the
predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit transmits a
transmission inhibiting request signal for the first signal to the
portable terminal, in addition to the second signal.
16. The portable machine according to claim 13, further comprising
a user's operation reception unit, wherein the specified
instruction is a user's predetermined operation with the user's
operation reception unit.
17. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein when
noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal activates a predetermined
application and exhibits a display for the application on a
screen.
18. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein when
noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal activates a predetermined
application and exhibits a display for the application on a
screen.
19. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein when
noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal activates a predetermined
application and exhibits a display for the application on a
screen.
20. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein after
the noncontact wireless communications are inhibited, when
receiving a user's operation for displaying the screen, the
portable terminal displays, on the screen, a notification that the
noncontact wireless communications have been inhibited and an
operation method of giving the specified instruction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a communication system and
a portable machine, and in particular to a communication system and
a portable machine which are related to respective three nodes of a
controlled object such as a vehicle, a portable machine, and a
portable terminal.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Currently, systems are generally known, in which a vehicle
portable machine (hereinafter, referred to as an "FOB") of a
vehicle user communicates with a vehicle through radio waves.
Existing portable terminals, such as portable phones or
smartphones, are equipped with a function of relatively
short-distance communications, including Bluetooth.TM. and Near
Field Communication (NFC). With this function, wireless
communications are widely conducted between a portable terminal and
a vehicle or an FOB (for example, see JP 4496511 B1).
[0005] Such a wireless communication function is also used to
acquire information from a vehicle or operate the vehicle.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,821,383 discloses a technique
in which a portable terminal acquires various information regarding
a state of a vehicle, such as a voltage drop of a battery, or
someone's intrusion into the vehicle, and displays the acquired
information on the screen.
[0007] JP 2007-046395 A discloses a vehicle information setting
device, which conducts wireless communications with a vehicle by
using a portable phone as an interface through an FOB, and displays
information regarding the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle
information setting device is configured to set and control
on-board apparatuses (for example, locking or unlocking of the
doors).
[0008] Unfortunately, there are cases where the communication
apparatus, such as an FOB or a portable terminal, communicates with
the partner more than necessarily when both a communication
apparatus and its partner are present within areas which
electromagnetic waves reach. In this case, the communication
apparatus may consume unnecessary electricity.
[0009] In consideration of such disadvantage, for example, JP
2010-130310 A discloses a communication device that aims to
decrease the electricity consumption. The communication device is
configured to transmit attribute information regarding a
communication capacity thereof, and in turn receive attribute
information regarding a communication capacity of a target. If the
received attribute information indicates that the target is
equipped with a communication function in a power saving mode, the
communication device turns off the emission of an electromagnetic
wave over a predetermined period after transmitting data.
[0010] JP 2010-028753 A discloses a communication device that aims
to decrease the electricity consumption for proximity wireless
communications. The communication device includes a proximity
wireless communication device and an approaching detection unit
that has lower electricity consumption than the proximity wireless
communication device in an idle state. Then, the approaching
detection unit detects a proximity state of another proximity
wireless communication device or a removal from the proximity state
thereof. When this proximity position state is detected, the
communication device causes the proximity wireless communication
device to be restored from a sleep state. Meanwhile, when the
removal of the proximity state is detected, the communication
device causes the proximity wireless communication device to enter
the sleep state. Thus, the communication device causes the
proximity wireless communication device to operate only when the
proximity state is detected.
[0011] JP 06-131590 A discloses a movable body identification
device that completes communications with a response unit moving at
a high speed with a single communication sequence, and therefore
does not more than necessarily conduct communications. In the
movable body identification device, when the response unit enters a
beam area of a question unit and receives an activation command, it
transmits an activation response to the question unit. In turn,
when receiving this activation response, the question unit
transmits an operation command. When receiving the operation
command, the response unit performs a predetermined operation, and
then transmits an operation response. After that, the response unit
receives a termination command indicating the termination of a
series of communication sequences, and then enters a reception
inhibition state over a predetermined period.
[0012] WO 2006/090460 A discloses a portable information terminal,
which is a portable communication apparatus such as a portable
phone and which enables application software to be activated
through a simple user's operation. The portable information
terminal is equipped with a reader (receiver) of a wireless IC tag.
When being placed near the wireless IC tag, the portable
information terminal reads information from the wireless IC tag.
Then, the portable information terminal automatically activates an
application related to this information, and displays it on the
screen.
[0013] In many cases, however, an FOB and a portable terminal are
held together, for example, in a user's pocket or bag. In such
cases, an FOB and a portable terminal are likely to establish
communications regardless of a user's intention and a screen of the
portable terminal is maintained in an ON state. As a result, the
unnecessary electricity may be consumed.
SUMMARY
[0014] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a
communication system and the like, which prevent communications
from being conducted more than necessarily between an FOB and a
portable terminal regardless of a user's intention, and which stops
a screen of the portable terminal from more than necessarily
remaining in an ON state, thereby decreasing the unnecessary
electricity consumption.
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a communication system including: a portable
machine that has an identification code registered in a controlled
object and that can conduct wireless communications with the
controlled object: and a portable terminal that can conduct
noncontact wireless communications with the portable machine. In
the communication system, after noncontact wireless communications
start between the portable machine and the portable terminal
communication unit, the noncontact wireless communications are
inhibited when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do
not resume unless a specified instruction is given.
[0016] With this configuration, the communication system can be
provided, which prevents communications from being conducted more
than necessarily between the portable machine and the portable
terminal regardless of a user's intention, and which stops the
screen of the portable terminal from more than necessarily
remaining in the ON state if the screen of the portable terminal
enters an ON state along with the start of the communications.
Consequently, it is possible to decrease the unnecessary
electricity consumption.
[0017] The portable terminal may include: a first transmission unit
that transmits a first signal to the portable machine; and a first
reception unit that receives a second signal from the portable
machine. The portable machine may include: a second reception unit
that receives the first signal which the first transmission unit
has transmitted; a control unit that controls generation of the
second signal, in relation to the first signal which the second
reception unit has received; and a second transmission unit that
transmits the second signal generated by the control unit to the
first reception unit of the portable terminal. The portable
terminal may inhibit the first transmission unit from transmitting
the first signal, when the predetermined condition is
satisfied.
[0018] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable terminal detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
[0019] When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control
unit of the portable machine may transmit a transmission inhibiting
request signal for the first signal, in addition to the second
signal. Then, when receiving the transmission inhibiting request
signal, the portable terminal may inhibit the transmission of the
first signal.
[0020] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and the portable terminal inhibits the
communications.
[0021] The portable terminal may include: a first transmission unit
that transmits a first signal to the portable machine; and a first
reception unit that receives a second signal from the portable
machine. The portable machine may include: a second reception unit
that receives the first signal which the first transmission unit
has transmitted; a control unit that controls generation of the
second signal, in relation to the first signal which the second
reception unit has received; and a second transmission unit that
transmits the second signal generated by the control unit to the
first reception unit of the portable terminal. The portable machine
may inhibit the second transmission unit from transmitting the
second signal, when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0022] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
[0023] When noncontact wireless communications are established with
the portable machine, the portable terminal may activate a
predetermined application and exhibit a display for the application
on a screen.
[0024] The above configuration allows a user to receive a
notification, when the noncontact wireless communications are
established.
[0025] The portable terminal may turn off the display on the
screen, along with the inhibition of the noncontact wireless
communications.
[0026] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the display is automatically
turned off on the screen, along with the inhibition of the
communications.
[0027] After the noncontact wireless communications are inhibited,
when receiving a user's operation for displaying the screen, the
portable terminal may display, on the screen, a notification that
the noncontact wireless communications have been inhibited and an
operation method of giving the specified instruction.
[0028] This configuration allows the user to confirm the
communication state, and be informed of a next possible
operation.
[0029] The specified instruction may be a user's predetermined
first operation with the portable terminal.
[0030] With the above configuration, the communications can be
prevented from resuming regardless of a user's intention, because
the communications resume in response to the user's predetermined
operation.
[0031] When receiving the predetermined first operation, the
portable terminal may display, on the screen, a notification that
the noncontact wireless communications have been inhibited, and
restarts noncontact wireless communications in response to a
predetermined second operation.
[0032] The above configuration causes the resuming of the
communications to conform to the user's intention, because the
communications resume in response to the predetermined operation
after the user confirms the communication state.
[0033] The portable terminal may recognize a user's operation, as
the specified instruction, and cause the first transmission unit to
resume transmitting the first signal.
[0034] With this configuration, the noncontact wireless
communications can resume promptly, in response to the user's
operation.
[0035] When receiving the second signals prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable terminal may determine that the
predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0036] With this configuration, the portable terminal can inhibit
the noncontact communications, after the portable machine reliably
confirms a state where the noncontact communications are to be
inhibited.
[0037] When receiving the first signals prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable machine may determine that the
predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0038] With this configuration, the portable machine can inhibit
the noncontact communications, after the portable terminal reliably
confirms a state where the noncontact communications are to be
inhibited.
[0039] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a portable machine that has an identification
code registered in a controlled object and that can conduct
wireless communications with the controlled object and noncontact
wireless communication with the portable terminal. In the portable
machine, after noncontact wireless communications start with the
portable terminal, the noncontact wireless communications are
inhibited when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do
not resume unless a specified instruction is given.
[0040] With this configuration, the portable machine can be
provided, which prevents communications from being conducted more
than necessarily between the portable machine and the portable
terminal regardless of a user's intention, and which stops the
screen of the portable terminal from more than necessarily
remaining in the ON state if the screen of the portable terminal
enters an ON state along with the start of the communications. It
is thus possible to decrease the unnecessary electricity
consumption.
[0041] The portable machine may include: a reception unit that
receives a first signal which the portable terminal has
transmitted; a control unit that controls generation of a second
signal, in relation to the first signal which the reception unit
has received; and a transmission unit that transmits the second
signal generated by the control unit to the portable terminal. The
portable machine may inhibit the transmission unit from
transmitting the second signal, when the predetermined condition is
satisfied.
[0042] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
[0043] When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control
unit may transmit a transmission inhibiting request signal for the
first signal, in addition to the second signal.
[0044] With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
[0045] The portable machine may further include a user's operation
reception unit, and the specified instruction may be a user's
predetermined operation with the user's operation reception
unit.
[0046] With the above configuration, the communications can be
prevented from resuming regardless of a user's intention, because
the communications resume in response to the user's predetermined
operation with the portable machine.
[0047] As described above, a communication system and a portable
machine can be provided, which prevent communications from being
conducted more than necessarily between a portable machine (FOB)
and the portable terminal regardless of a user's intention, and
which stop a screen of the portable terminal from more than
necessarily remaining in an ON state. Consequently, it is possible
to decrease the unnecessary electricity consumption.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a communication
system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of
the communication system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0050] FIG. 3 is an explanatory flowchart of a process of
establishing NFC communications between a portable machine and a
portable terminal;
[0051] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which the NFC
communications are inhibited between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, when staying established over a predetermined
period or longer;
[0052] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which the NFC
communications are inhibited between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, when the NFC communications have been
established prescribed times or more within a predetermined
period;
[0053] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which: after NFC
communications are established between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, a vehicle program exhibits a display on a screen
of the portable terminal; and the NFC communications are inhibited
when a user does not perform any operation over a predetermined
period or longer; and
[0054] FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts of a process performed by the
communication system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, in which after being inhibited between the
portable machine and the portable terminal, the NFC communications
resume:
[0055] more specifically, FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a process
performed by the portable terminal, and FIG. 7B is a flowchart of a
process performed by the portable machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0056] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0057] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a communication
system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The communication system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a portable
machine 20, and a portable terminal 30.
[0058] The vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20 conduct wireless
communications with each other by using, for example, LF (low
frequency) or UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves, and each of
them transmits/receives various commands, information, and the like
through the communications. Because the portable machine 20
functions as a key of the vehicle 10, for example, a highly secure,
distinctive communication scheme is applied to communications
between the vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20.
[0059] The portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 conduct
noncontact wireless communications with each other whose maximum
communication distance is approximately several centimeters, and
each of them transmits/receives various commands, information, and
the like through the communications. For a scheme of communications
between the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30, a
typical communication standard may be utilized, including: an NFC
(Near Field Communication) that conforms to a communication
standard, such as Felica.TM., MIFARE.TM., applied to, for example,
RFID communications or the like, namely, short-distance wireless
communications; and infra-red communications, such as IrDA DATA.
Because both of the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal
30 are typically held and used by a single user, noncontact
wireless communications with a short maximum communication distance
are enough.
[0060] The portable terminal 30 and the vehicle 10 directly conduct
wireless communications with each other in accordance with a
typical communication standard, such as NFC, infra-red
communications, Bluetooth.TM., an internet connection (Wi-Fi,
etc.), or a telephone line (W-CDMA, etc.), and each of them may
selectively transmit/receive various commands, information, and the
like through the communications. A communication distance between
the portable terminal 30 and the vehicle 10 may be longer than that
between the portable machine 20 and the vehicle 10. Therefore, a
telephone line or an increasingly popularized internet connection
is used for the communications therebetween, in addition to a
short-distance wireless communication scheme. As a result, even
when the vehicle 10 parks in an underground parking area where the
UHF communications cannot be established from the portable machine
20 to the vehicle 10, the portable terminal 30 can directly
communicate with the vehicle 10 through a telephone line or an
internet connection.
[0061] The portable machine 20 is equipped with a function of a key
unique to the vehicle 10, and an identification code unique to the
portable machine 20 is registered with the vehicle 10. The portable
machine 20 has functions of, for example, a typically physical key
of the vehicle 10, or an entry key of a smart entry system. In more
detail, when the door of the vehicle 10 is locked or unlocked with
the operation of a switch or the like near a door of the vehicle
10, when the vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20 enter a state
of being able to communicate with each other, or when a user
operates the portable machine 20, this situation triggers the
portable machine 20 to, for example, acquire vehicle information
from the vehicle 10.
[0062] The portable machine 20 also has a function of relaying the
communications between the vehicle 10 and the portable terminal 30.
In more detail, the portable machine 20 can receive a command,
information, or the like transmitted from the vehicle 10, and
forward it to the portable terminal 30. Likewise, the portable
machine 20 can receive a command, information, or the like
transmitted from the portable terminal 30, and forward it to the
vehicle 10.
[0063] There is no specific limitation on a type of the portable
terminal 30, as long as it is a portable apparatus which: enables
noncontact wireless communications with the portable machine 20;
can acquire and display vehicle information; contains a
predetermined executable application program for operating the
vehicle 10 (hereinafter, referred to as "vehicle program"); and is
provided with a display unit for displaying the vehicle
information. Examples of the portable terminal 30 include a
portable phone, a smartphone, a portable information terminal
(PDA), a portable music player, and a portable game machine. In
addition, examples of the "vehicle information" include a locked
state of each door, a remaining amount of fuel, a remaining battery
level, an elapsed time since the last charge, an ON/OFF state of
lamps, a temperature in a vehicle room, a temperature surrounding a
vehicle, and a location of a vehicle.
[0064] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of
the communication system 1 of this embodiment. First, a description
will be given of an outline of a process performed between the
vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20, with reference to FIG. 2.
The communication system 1 includes the portable machine 20 that
can conduct wireless communications with the vehicle 10, and a
portable terminal 30 that can conduct noncontact wireless
communications with the portable machine 20. When a user performs a
command operation that instructs the acquisition of vehicle
information or the control of the vehicle 10 with the portable
machine 20 or the portable terminal 30, this command is transmitted
from a to-vehicle communication unit 24 of the portable machine 20
to a vehicle communication unit 11 of the vehicle 10. On the basis
of this transmitted command, in the vehicle 10, a vehicle control
unit 12 controls a corresponding on-board apparatus, or a vehicle
information acquisition unit 13 acquires corresponding vehicle
information. Then, the vehicle 10 transmits the controlled result
or acquired vehicle information to the to-vehicle communication
unit 24 of the portable machine 20 from the vehicle communication
unit 11. As a result, the portable machine 20 stores the controlled
result or vehicle information in a storage unit 25.
[0065] After the portable machine 20 acquires the vehicle
information from the vehicle 10 in the above manner, when the
portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 are present within
a distance over which noncontact wireless communications are
available, they conduct the noncontact wireless communications.
Once starting between the portable machine 20 and a portable
terminal communication unit 31 in accordance with a predetermined
protocol, the noncontact wireless communications are established
therebetween unless any specific problem occurs. It should be noted
that a protocol of starting and establishing NFC communications
(noncontact wireless communications) between the portable machine
20 and the portable terminal 30 will be described later.
[0066] Both of the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30
are configured to be held and carried by a user. For example, in
many cases, the user carries the portable machine 20 and the
portable terminal 30 while holding them in the same pocket or bag.
In this case, while the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal communication unit 31 are kept, for example, in a user's
bag or pocket within a distance over which the noncontact wireless
communications are available, the noncontact wireless
communications are continuously conducted therebetween. However,
after the noncontact wireless communications start between the
portable machine 20 and the portable terminal communication unit 31
that are present within a distance over which the noncontact
wireless communications are available, the communication system 1
inhibits the noncontact wireless communications when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and then does not resume them
unless a specified instruction is given.
[0067] The above configuration prevents the communications from
being conducted more than necessarily between the portable machine
20 and the portable terminal 30 regardless of a user's intention.
On the other hand, when the noncontact wireless communications
start, the portable terminal 30 indicates the establishment of the
communications on the screen by turning ON, for example, an LED
lamp for screen display. Therefore, while the noncontact wireless
communications are being conducted, the screen of the portable
terminal 30 is maintained in an ON state since the start of the
communications. In this case, however, the communication system 1
can prevent the screen from remaining in the ON state.
Consequently, it is possible for the communication system 1 to
decrease the unnecessary electricity consumption.
[0068] More specifically, the portable terminal 30 of the
communication system 1 includes a first transmission unit 32 that
transmits a first signal to the portable machine 20, and a first
reception unit 33 that receives a second signal from the portable
machine 20. The portable machine 20 includes: a second reception
unit 22 that receives the first signal that the first transmission
unit 32 has transmitted; a control unit 23 that controls generation
of the second signal, in relation to the first signal which the
second reception unit 22 has received; and a second transmission
unit 21 that transmits the second signal generated by the control
unit 23 to the first reception unit 33 of the portable terminal
30.
[0069] The portable terminal 30 may inhibit the first transmission
unit 32 from transmitting the first signal, when the predetermined
condition is satisfied. Specifically, unless the portable terminal
30 transmits the first signal for calling the portable machine 20,
noncontact wireless communications do not start between the
portable terminal 30 and the portable machine 20. Thus, the
portable terminal 30 detects the predetermined condition and
inhibits the communications, so that the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased.
[0070] Alternatively, the portable machine 20 may inhibit the
second transmission unit 21 from transmitting the second signal,
when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Unless the portable
machine 20 transmits the second signal that is a response to the
call from the portable terminal 30, no noncontact wireless
communication is established. Thus, the portable machine 20 detects
the predetermined condition and inhibits the communications, so
that the unnecessary electricity consumption can be decreased.
[0071] When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control
unit 23 of the portable machine 20 may transmit a transmission
inhibiting request signal for the first signal, in addition to the
second signal. When receiving this transmission inhibiting request
signal, the portable terminal 30 may inhibit the transmission of
the first signal. Thus, the portable machine 20 detects the
predetermined condition, and the portable terminal 30 inhibits the
communications, so that the unnecessary electricity consumption can
be decreased.
[0072] It should be noted that the expression "the predetermined
condition" refers to, for example, a case where the noncontact
wireless communications are successfully established prescribed
times or more within a predetermined period, a case where the
noncontact wireless communications stay established over a
predetermined period or longer, or a case where a vehicle program
is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 30 and a user
does not operate the portable terminal 30 over a predetermined
period or longer. The detail thereof will be described later.
[0073] For example, it is assumed that while a battery of the
vehicle 10 is being charged at a power supply station, a user
attempts to acquire vehicle information indicating how much the
battery is charged, by operating the portable terminal 30, in order
to confirm the charging state of the battery. When the user places
the portable terminal 30 next to the portable machine 20 or puts
the portable terminal 30 on the portable machine 20, noncontact
wireless communications are established therebetween. In response,
the portable terminal 30 activates the vehicle program that is a
predetermined application, and displays the image of this
application on a portable terminal display unit 36. In this way,
the image of the application is automatically displayed simply by
arranging the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30
close to each other. As a result, the user can promptly perform a
desired operation or confirm desired vehicle information.
[0074] Next, when performing a command operation with a portable
terminal operation reception unit 35, in which information
regarding the charging state of the battery is acquired from the
vehicle 10 through the application, the user can acquire this
information from the portable machine 20. Here, a portable terminal
control unit 34 controls interfaces between the portable terminal
communication unit 31 and the portable terminal operation reception
unit 35 and between the portable terminal communication unit 31 and
the portable terminal display unit 36, in relation to the
application.
[0075] The user confirms the acquired charging state of the
battery, and leaves the portable terminal 30 next to the portable
machine 20. In this case, the portable terminal 30 maintains the
noncontact wireless communications with the portable machine 20.
However, when the noncontact wireless communications stay
established over a predetermined period or longer, the portable
terminal 30 or the portable machine 20 inhibits the noncontact
wireless communications.
[0076] The above process of inhibiting the noncontact wireless
communications will be described, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory flowchart of a process from the start to
establishment of typical NFC communications (noncontact wireless
communications) between the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the
portable terminal 30, in which the NFC communications are inhibited
between the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30, when
staying established over a predetermined period or longer.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 3, first, the establishment of the NFC
communications will be described. At S800, the portable terminal 30
that is equipped with the portable terminal communication unit 31
having an NFC reader/writer function generates electromagnetic
waves at regular intervals. Each electromagnetic wave corresponds
to the first signal with which the portable terminal communication
unit 31 calls the portable machine 20. Then, the portable terminal
30 inquires whether or not the portable machine 20 is present
within an area where they can communicate with each other. In this
embodiment, a frequency of the electromagnetic wave may be 13.56
MHz, but needless to say, there is no limitation on the frequency
of the electromagnetic wave.
[0078] If the portable machine 20 is present at a location to
receive the electromagnetic waves, at S802, the portable machine 20
induces an electromotive force, on the basis of the electromagnetic
waves. At S804, the portable machine 20 activates a CPU thereof by
means of the induced electromotive force. Once the CPU is
activated, at S806, the portable machine 20 transmits a unique
identification code thereof to the portable terminal 30, thereby
responding to the inquiry of the portable terminal 30. In the case
of inhibiting the transmission of the second signal, when
determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied despite
the activation of the CPU, the control unit 23 of the portable
machine 20 does not transmit the second signal that is a response
to the calling from the portable terminal 30, without performing
the process of S806.
[0079] At S808, upon receiving the response, the portable terminal
30 transmits an inquiry signal to the portable machine 20 by using
the received identification code. At S810, upon receiving the
inquiry signal, the portable machine 20 transmits a response signal
to the portable terminal 30. At S812, upon receiving the response
signal, the portable terminal 30 transmits an authentication code
to the portable machine 20.
[0080] At S814, upon receiving the authentication code, the
portable machine 20 transmits an encrypted computation code to the
portable terminal 30, and recognizes that the NFC communications
have been successfully established with the portable terminal 30.
At S816, upon receiving the encrypted computation code, the
portable terminal 30 recognizes that the NFC communications have
been successfully established with the portable machine 20.
Eventually, the portable terminal 30 transmits a command signal to
the portable machine 20.
[0081] Accordingly, the expression "the NFC communications have
been successfully established" refers to a fact that both of the
portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 have recognized
the establishment of the NFC communications through processes of
S800 to S816. It should be noted that both processes of S808 and
S812 may be performed at the same time.
[0082] Next, a description will be given of a process in which the
portable terminal 30 inhibits the noncontact wireless
communications, when the noncontact wireless communications stay
established over a predetermined period or longer, with reference
to FIG. 4. When the user places the portable terminal 30 next to
the portable machine 20, at S202, the portable terminal 30 and the
portable machine 20 perform the processes, as described above, of
S800 to S816. When the process proceeds to S816 at S204, if the
portable terminal 30 recognizes that the NFC communications have
been successfully established, the process proceeds to S206.
Otherwise, if the portable terminal 30 does not recognize it, any
process is no longer performed.
[0083] If the NFC communications have been successfully established
("YES" at S204), at S206, the portable terminal 30 activates a
vehicle program that is a predetermined application. At S208, the
portable terminal 30 displays the image of the application on the
portable terminal display unit 36. When acquiring a charging state
of the battery, the portable terminal 30 displays this state. After
that, the user leaves the portable terminal 30 for a while. At
S210, the portable terminal 30 checks whether or not the NFC
communications are still conducted. Then, if the user leaves the
portable terminal 30 next to the portable machine 20 without
operating it, the NFC communications will be continuously conducted
without being broken off. Therefore, the process proceeds to
S212.
[0084] At S212, the portable terminal 30 keeps checking whether or
not the NFC communications are still conducted until, for example,
five minutes pass since the establishment of the NFC
communications. If the NFC communications are never broken off for
five minutes or longer, at S214, the NFC communications are
inhibited from being conducted. Specifically, in the case where the
portable terminal 30 inhibits the NFC communications, the portable
terminal 30 stops generating electromagnetic waves at the start of
the NFC communications. In this case, the processes starting from
S800 are not performed. Otherwise, in the case where the portable
machine 20 inhibits the NFC communications, the portable machine 20
inhibits the interrupt in the NFC communications.
[0085] When the NFC communications are inhibited, at S216, a timer
is cleared. It should be noted that in the case of checking whether
or not the NFC communications are still conducted at S210, even if
the user moves the portable terminal 30 from the area neighboring
the portable machine 20 and therefore the NFC communications are
broken off ("NO" at S210), the timer is cleared at S216. Moreover,
if the NFC communications are not successfully established at S204
("NO" at S204), the process is no longer performed.
[0086] Next, description will be given of a process in which the
portable terminal 30 inhibits the noncontact wireless
communications, when the noncontact wireless communications are
established prescribed times or more within a predetermined period,
with reference to FIG. 5. For example, it is assumed that the user
picks up the portable terminal 30 placed next to the portable
machine 20 with his/her hand, and is moving it. During this time,
the NFC communications are not maintained but are established
intermittently. Hereinafter, a description that overlaps that
having been given with reference to FIG. 4 will be omitted as
appropriate. Processes of S100 to A108 are the same as those of
S200 to S208, respectively.
[0087] The timer starts at S110, if, for example, ten minutes have
not passed since the NFC communications are established once ("NO"
at S110), at S118, the number of times in which the NFC
communications have been successfully established, namely, the
processes of S800 to S816 have been performed is counted up. The
timer may be counted by an interrupt process. If the counted number
is less than five at S120 ("NO" at S120), the portable terminal 30
repeats the processes of S104 to S118. Otherwise, if the count
becomes five or more ("YES" at S120), the portable terminal 30
inhibits the NFC communications.
[0088] Alternatively, if receiving the second signals from the
portable machine 20 prescribed times within a predetermined period,
the portable terminal 30 may determine that the predetermined
condition is satisfied, and inhibit the NFC communications. With
this processing, after the portable machine 20 reliably confirms a
state where the noncontact wireless communications are to be
inhibited, the portable terminal 30 can inhibit it. Alternatively,
likewise, as for the portable machine 20, if receiving the first
signals from the portable terminal 30 prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable machine 20 may determine that
the predetermined condition is satisfied, and inhibit the NFC
communications. With this processing, after the portable terminal
30 reliably confirms a state where the noncontact wireless
communications are to be inhibited, the portable machine 20 can
inhibit it.
[0089] Furthermore, the portable terminal 30 turns OFF the display
on the screen, in addition to inhibiting the NFC communications, at
S124. With this processing, the display is automatically turned OFF
on the screen along with the inhibition of the communications, so
that the unnecessary electricity consumption can be decreased.
Displaying an image on the screen may become a main cause of
consuming the electricity of a battery in the portable terminal 30,
such as a portable phone or a smartphone. However, while the
noncontact wireless communications are being inhibited, the display
on the screen is maintained in an OFF state. As a result, the
portable terminal 30 does not consume the electricity more than
necessarily.
[0090] Moreover, when the user performs an operation of displaying
any image after the inhibition of the NFC communications, the
portable terminal 30 may display, on the portable terminal display
unit 36, a notification that the NFC communications have been
inhibited and an operation method of giving a specified
instruction. This configuration allows the user to confirm the
communication state, and be informed of a next possible
operation.
[0091] Next, a description will be given of a process performed by
the portable terminal 30, in which after the NFC communications are
established between the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 and then the vehicle program displays the image of an
application on the screen of the portable terminal 30, the NFC
communications are inhibited if the user does not perform any
operation over a predetermined period or longer, with reference to
FIG. 6. For example, it is assumed that the user picks up the
portable terminal 30 placed next to the portable machine 20 with
his/her hand, and randomly operates the portable terminal 30.
[0092] At S302, the user activates an application that is the
vehicle program, and at S304, this application displays an image on
the screen. If the user operates the application at S306 ("YES" at
S306), this application performs a process based on the user's
operation at S308. At S310, the timer is cleared, and the process
proceeds to S312.
[0093] Otherwise, the user does not perform any operation at S306
("NO" at S306), the process directly proceeds to S312. At S312, for
example, the portable terminal 30 checks whether or not, for
example, five minutes have passed with the timer. If this time
period has not yet passed ("NO" at S312)", the portable terminal 30
repeats the processes of S306 to S310. Otherwise, if, for example,
five minutes or longer have passed since the last operation ("YES"
at S312), the portable terminal 30 inhibits the NFC communications
at S314. At S316, because the user have not performed any operation
over a predetermined period or longer, the screen of the portable
terminal 30 is turned OFF and enters a sleep mode. In this case,
when the user performs a next operation and the screen is turned
ON, the portable terminal 30 may display a message indicating that
the NFC communications are halted.
[0094] Next, a description will be given of a process of resuming
the NFC communications between the portable machine 20 and the
portable terminal 30 after the NFC communications are inhibited,
with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. Specifically, FIG. 7A depicts a
process performed by the portable terminal 30, and FIG. 7B depicts
a process performed by the portable machine 20. In order to resume
the NFC communications, a specified instruction is required. For
example, it is assumed that the user leaves the portable terminal
30 next to the portable machine 20 over a long period, and the NFC
communications are being inhibited therebetween.
[0095] The portable terminal 30 detects a user's touch on the
screen or a user's operation at S402, and then resumes NFC
communications, namely, stops inhibiting the transmission of
electromagnetic waves at S403, thereby returning to a state where
the process of S800 is to be performed.
[0096] In turn, the portable machine 20 detects a user' operation
with the operation reception unit 26 at S502, and then resumes the
NFC communications, namely, stops inhibiting the NFC interrupt
process (the transmission of the response signal) at S506.
[0097] As described above, the specified instruction of resuming
the NFC communications may be a user's predetermined operation with
the portable terminal 30. The portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 resume communications in response to the user's
predetermined operation, in the above manner, so that the
communications can be prevented from resuming regardless of a
user's intention. The specified instruction may be an instruction
given by a phone call for the portable terminal 30. In this case,
it is possible to give an instruction from a remote area.
[0098] Moreover, when the predetermined operation is performed, the
portable terminal 30 may display, on the screen, a notification
that the wireless communications have been inhibited, and resume
the NFC wireless communications in response to a different
predetermined operation following the previous operation. In this
case, the user confirms the communication state, and then resumes
the communications with a predetermined operation, so that the
communications can be prevented from resuming regardless of a
user's intention. For example, after confirming, with the previous
operation, the notification that the NFC wireless communications
have been inhibited, the user can resume the NFC wireless
communications with the following predetermined different
operation, for example, swiping the screen of the portable terminal
30 in a specific direction. Alternatively, if the user does not
wish to resume it, he/she may perform a different operation.
Consequently, the resuming of the NFC wireless communications
conforms to the user's intention.
[0099] Furthermore, the portable terminal 30 may recognize any
user's operation as the specified instruction, and cause the first
transmission unit 32 to resume transmitting the first signal. With
this configuration, the noncontact wireless communications can
resume promptly, in response to the user's operation.
[0100] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited
to the embodiment having been described, and configurations of the
present invention may be contemplated without departing from the
scopes described in the individual claims. In more detail, the
present invention, in particular, the specific embodiment has been
mainly illustrated and described, but those skilled in the art can
apply various modifications to the shapes, the materials, the
numbers, and the like of the individual detailed components in the
above-described embodiments, without departing from the technical
spirit and purpose of the present invention. Accordingly, the
description, as disclosed above, that limits the shapes and the
like is a simply illustrative example for facilitating the
understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to
limit the present invention. Therefore, descriptions of names of
members, the limitations on shapes and the like of which are
partially or entirely modified, are included in the present
invention.
[0101] For example, in this embodiment, the controlled object is a
vehicle, but there is no limitation on the controlled object.
Alternatively, the controlled object is applicable to a house or
garage.
* * * * *